Limited amount check writer



Sept. 16, 1969 c. w. JOHNSON LIMITED AMOUNT CHECK WRITER 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 19, 1967 p 1969 c. w. JOHNSON LIMITED AMOUNT CHECK WRITER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 19. 1967 I I C villi/['4 I II 1 JkveIu OTI Wueme w/ wnsm United States Patent '0 3,467,006 LIMITED AMOUNT CHECK WRITER Clarence W. Johnson, Tower Lakes, 11]., assignor to The Hedman Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation of Delaware Filed July 19, 1967, Ser. No. 654,477

Int. 01. B41j Us. or. 101 9s Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE A limited amount check writer in which a simplified slidable element having slots therein and cooperating with a slotted comb bar is moved in one direction or in the opposite direction to prevent writing a check over a determined limited amount when any of the dollar and cents segments of the check writer are moved to a printing position other than zero, and wherein movement of the highest dollar segment to its printing position prevents movement of the remaining segments to any other than their zero position, together with mechanisms for moving the second dollar segment from a non-print position to the zero position when the first dollar segment is moved to the position to print or write the pre-determined limited amount on the check; all of the foregoing being in combination with well-known check writer mechanisms for printing the amount on the check and returning the segments to their initial positions upon movement of an operating lever to the printing position and return to the normal position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the invention This invention relates to the art of limited amount check Writers and the like which are utilized for example for writing or printing postal money orders or American Express money orders in amounts not exceeding a limited amount, such as one hundred dollars.

Description of the prior art Limited amount check writers for writing postal money orders and the like are known. There are several types of such check writers. One such type utilizes a slidable prefix bar containing a legend such as Pay the Amount Of, which is moved into contact with the first dollar segment or portion thereof which is placed in printing position, so that no dollar segment or segments of higher denomination may be moved into printing position. A second type of limited amount check Writers utilize electrical circuits, including for example, relays for preventing printing of higher than a pre-determined amount. A third type of limited amount check writers utilize mechanism for effecting movement of the dollar and cents segments from printing positions, upon move ment of the highest dollar segment to its printing position, the highest dollar segment having only one denomination for printing provided thereon, such as the numeral 1. In such machines, such movement is effected mechanically. Also, if the first dollar segment is in its printing position and any of the other dollar or cents segments are moved to a printing position, the first dollar segment is mechanically moved thereby to its nonprint position. A fourth type utilizes latching mechanism for preventing movement of the highest denomination dollar segment when any of the other segments are in a printing position other than zero and conversely for latching all of the other dollar and cents segments into the zero printing position when the first dollar segment is moved to its single printing position.

3,467,006 Patented Sept. 16, 1969 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to simplified mech anism applicable to the fourth type of limited amount check writers referred to above. With the present invention, a slidable bar having slots therein, is moved in one direction or the opposite direction by movement of various segments of the check writer in combination with a fixed slotted comb bar for latching the desired segments in a position in which they cannot be moved under various conditions, so that a check or money order in an amount of not more than, for example, one hundred dollars may be written, although any amounts in dollars and cents less than one hundred dollars may be written or printed. The mechanism for accomplishing this result is positive, does not rely upon any springs or other biasing means, and is less expensive than prior art machines. Furthermore, extremely simplified, but positive mechanism is provided for effecting movement of the second dollar printing segment and its associated parts from a non-print position to the zero print position when the highest dollar segment is moved to the 1 position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the check Writer embodying my invention with the exterior casing in place thereon;

FIG. 2 is a partial vertical sectional View of the check writer illustrated in FIG. 1, showing the one hundred dollar lever and segment, which are referred to hereinafter as the first lever and segment and the second lever and segment which, in this case, are the ten dollar lever and segment;

FIG. 3 is a partial front view of the first and second levers and segments illustrating the mechanism for moving the second or ten dollar lever to zero printing position when the one hundred dollar lever is moved to the numeral 1 position. It is taken on line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional View taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view taken on line 5-5 of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 are partial views of the one hundred dollar and ten dollar lever, or the first and second levers, in their various positions, starting with the levers in their clearing position shown in FIG. 6 with the pin or stud on the one hundred dollar segment engaging the ten dollar lever when the one hundred dollar lever is moved to the zero position (FIG. 7) and with the one hundred lever moved to the numeral 1 position thus moving the ten dollar lever to zero position (FIG. 8); and

FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the stepped U-shaped return, yoke or bail utilized in the machine.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring specifically to the drawings for a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, numeral 10 designates a casing best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. The casing is mounted on a base 12 and a slot 14 and a guide 16 are provided for the insertion of a check or money order which is to have an amount printed or impressed thereon. An operating lever or handle 18 is provided which rotates a shaft 20 for imparting movement to the check writing mechanism contained within the casing 10.

The casing 10 is provided with an aperture 15 in the front thereof through which Wheels carrying various indicia may be viewed. The wheels are numbered 16a, 16b, 16c, 16d, and 16s and are provided with teeth (not shown) for effecting movement of the Wheels. The first wheel 16a is provided with a non-print position as shown in FIG. 1 and a zero (not shown), and second wheel 16b is provided with a non-print position and with numerals running from zero to nine (not shown). Wheels 16c, 16d and 16:: are provided with numerals from zero to nine and when in the normal reset position, all are in the zero printing position, whereas wheels 16a and 16b are in the non-print position, as illustrated in FIG. 1.

Referring to FIGS 2 and 9, it is noted that the check writing mechanism is of Well-known construction except for the features relating to my invention, which features are best shown in FIGS. 4-8, and in part in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Referring primarily to FIG. 2, the check writer is provided with side frames of the usual construction including a fixed support member 22 having a fork 24 at the top thereof for reception of a stationary bearing rod 26- which extends between the supports 22 transversely of the machine. Only one of said supports is illustrated.

Segment members generally indicated at 28, in this case five in number, having teeth 30 are journaled on the shaft 26 by bearing members 31 which permit rotation of the segments 28 and associated parts thereof. The one hundred dollar segment illustrated in FIGS. 2, 6, 7, and 8 is shown at 28a and the ten dollar segment shown in FIG. 7 is shown at 28b. The remaining three segments, namely the one dollar segment and the two cents segments are not shown. Each of the segments 28, except segment 28a, is provided with the usual printing face 29 containing the numerals zero to nine.

A slotted segment comb bracket 32 having a right angle flange 33 extends transversely of the machine and is secured to the side plates (not shown). The slotted portion of the comb bracket 32 is shown at 35 in FIG. 4. The slots 34 generally U-shaped, and are provided along the upper edge of the comb bracket 32. As bestshown in FIG. 2, springs 36 having a detent portion 37 are secured to the flange 33 of comb bracket 32 and cooperate with the teeth 30 on the segments 28 to retain them in the position in which they are placed by the operator.

Each of the segments 28 is provided with an aperating lever 40 attached to the segment in any suitable manner, and the operating levers 40 in turn have finger levers 38 attached thereto. The finger lever 38 for the one hundred dollar segment 28a is shown at 38a and the operating lever therefor at 40a. The finger lever for the ten dollar or second segment 28b is shown at 3812 and the operating lever at 4012. The operating lever for the one dollar segment 280 is shown at 400 in FIG. 2 and is provided with a finger lever 38c.

The finger levers 38 and the operating levers 40 are preferably formed of a single piece of material, although the tips of the finger levers 38 are preferably provided with plastic members, the first three of which have 8 marks thereon, and the fourth and fifth members have marks provided thereon.

As best shown in FIG. 2, each of the operating levers 40 is provided with an arcuate member 42 provided with teeth 44 on one edge thereof. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the arcuate members for the one hundred dollar or first segment, the ten dollar or second segment, the one dollar or third segment, and the cents segments or fourth and fifth segments are designated respectively with numerals 42a, 42b, 42c, 42d, and 42e. The members 42e are provided with an arcuate slot or recess 43 adjacent the upper portion thereof.

As also shown in FIG. 2, a support member 49 which is part of the side frame has a fork 46 at the upper end thereof in which is received a fixed bearing shaft 48 upon which the indicia wheels 16a-16e are journaled. As stated, the wheels 16a-16e have gear teeth on one edge thereof (not shown) which are engaged by the teeth 44 on the respective arcuate shaped members 42 to rotate the indicia wheels 16a-e in accordance with the position of the segments 42 and printing or non-printing portions of the segments 28, as is well-understood in the art.

Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4 and 5, for a description of the latching or lock-out mechanism, numeral 50 denotes a lock-out slide having transverse slots 52 therein. The lock-out slide 50 is slidably secured to the comb bracket 32 by studs 54 which, as shown in FIG. 4, extend through the recesses 52 and permit lateral movement of the lock-out slide 50. The lock-out slide 50 is provided with open U- shaped slots 56 for the reception of the arcuate members 42b, 42c and 42d and is also provided with open slots 57 at the ends thereof for the reception of arcuate members 42a or 42e depending upon the position of the lock-out slide 50. For example, in FIG. 4 member 42a is within the right hand slot 57, whereas member 42a is not within the left hand slot 57.

The lock-out slide 50 is also provided with three flanges 58 at 90 from the main portion of the slide 50, which flanges are provided with beveled or angular surfaces 60 at the right hand side thereof, as shown in FIG. 5. Another right angle flange 59 is provided on the lock-out slide 50 to the left of the flanges 58 as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5. Flange 59 is provided with an angular or beveled surface 61 at the left hand side thereof and with a similar surface 62 at the right hand side thereof, as viewed in FIG. 5.

As best shown in FIG. 5, each of the members 4211-421: is provided with beveled or angular surfaces 64 which are adapted to engage with the angular surfaces 60 on the flanges 58 and with the angular flange 62 on flange 59. A rib 63 is provided on member 42a in the position shown in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5 and is provided with a beveled edge 65 adapted to engage with the beveled portion 61 of flange 59 thereby causing lockout slide 50 to cam to the left when the one hundred dollar segment 28a is moved to the printing position to print the numeral 1. This is the position of the latching mechanism including the lockout slide as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

A stud 66 is secured to the one hundred dollar lever and segment 28a and 40a as best shown in FIGS. 3, 6, 7, and 8. The stud 66 is adapted to engage with the surface 68 on the rear of the second or ten dollar lever 40b upon movement of the one hundred dollar segment 28a and levers 38a and 40a to the position for printing the numeral 1. If the first segment 28a is moved only to the zero position while all other segments are locked in the zero position as will be hereinafter pointed out, the stud 66 does not engage with the surface 68 and the amount printed will be OOOdolsOOcts. As will be understood, the legend dols and the legend cts are always printed between the dollars and cents numerals respectively.

. As stated, the operating mechanism including the printing or impression on the check or money order by operation of 18 is accomplished by well-known means and detailed description thereof is unnecessary. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 9', it will be noted that a pivoted lever 76 is provided with a tension spring 78 intended to hold the lever 76 in a neutral position. The projection 77 is adapted to engage the lever 76 to swing it counterclockwise and cam out of the way. A bail or return yoke 80 is pivoted at 82 on the fixed bearing 26 and is free to rotate thereabout. However, when the lever 18 is moved forwardly and the projection 77 moves past lever 76 the return movement of projection 77 latches with lever 76 which in turn engages the bail 80 to move it to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 2 which returns all of the segments 28, levers 40, and finger levers 38 to the initial position. The bearing members 82 of the yoke member are provided with openings 84 for reception of the fixed bearing rod 26. The main portion of the yoke 80 is stepped as shown at 86 and 88 so that the first two levers and segments, namely the one hundred dollar lever and segment and the ten dollar levers and segments are moved to the non-print position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and the remaining levers are moved to the zero print position as also shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Upon completion of the return movement of lever 18, the yoke member 80 is unlatched and is free to move about the rod 26.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, slots 39 are provided in the casing affording movement of the second, third and fourth segment mechanisms 28 from zero to nine. The first slot 39 affords movement of the second segment 28b from non-print position and from zero through nine. A slot 41 in the casing 10 affords movement of the first or one.

hundred dollar segment 28a to the non-print or to the zero or to the one printing positions.

OPERATION If the first or one hundred dollar lever 40a and the segment 28a are moved to the position to print the numeral 1, the slide bar 50 is moved to the right as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 by the rib 63 engaging side of the flange 59 at the bevel 61 thereby blocking movement of arcuate members 42b42e. This is shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. This assumes, of course, that all of the segments except the one hundred dollar segment are moved to either the nonprint or the zero positions. Therefore, the highest amount that can be printed on the check is one hundred dollars.

In order to accomplish this, movement of the first segment 28a by its operating lever 40a to the one position causes engagement of stud 66 with the rear surface 68 of lever 40b which moves lever 40b and its associated segment 28b to the zero position. Thereafter, none of the levers or segments 42b-42e or 28 respectively can be moved into any other position. Furthermore, after the segment 28a and lever 40a have been moved to the position for printing the numeral 1, if segment 28b and lever 40b are moved back to the non-print position, segment 28a and lever 40a will also be moved back to the zero position by engagement of lever 40b with stud 66.

If it is desired to print a check or money order for any value from one cent to $99.99, the appropriate levers 38 and 40 are moved, which in turn moves the appropriate segments 28. Movement of any one of the members 42b- 42e moves the lock-out slide 50 to the left as viewed in FIGS. 4 and 5, thereby permitting movement of any of the members 4212-42e and their associated levers and segments, but locking or latching member 42a and its associated levers and segments so that they may not be moved to the position to print the numeral 1.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that it is impossible for the operator to set the machine for writing a check or money order in an amount of over one hundred dollars. Furthermore, when the operator moves the first segment 28a to the position for printing the numeral 1, the second segment 28c is automatically moved by stud 66 to the zero position so that there can never be a blank space between the one and the third dollar amount printed.

It is noted that the lock-out mechanism is extremely simple and relies upon no springs but upon purely mechanically shifting mechanism for effecting lock-out of the second to fifth segments when the first segment is moved to print the numeral 1, all of the segments being in the zero position when the one hundred dollar segment is moved to print the numeral 1. Likewise, the first segment is locked out when any of the other segments are moved to printing position.

While I have shown and described a preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be apparent that numerous variations and modifications thereof may be made without departing from the underlying principles of the invention. I therefore desire, by the following claims, to include within the scope of the invention all such variations and modifications by which substantially the results of my invention may be obtained through the use of substantially the same or equivalent means.

I claim:

1. A machine for printing money orders and the like, a plurality of separately adjustable printing elements including a first element having a single effective number printing character thereon, a second element and a plurality of other elements, said first element being movable to a normal initial position ineffective for printing, and to a second position effective for printing, said second and other elements each having number printing characters from zero to nine thereon, said second element having a normal initial position ineffective for printing and said other elements being normally in zero printing position, a clearing member for returning said elements to normal position, a clearing member for returning said elements to normal positions, said second and other elements being movable independently of each other and of said member to selectively dispose any one of the characters thereof in effective printing position when said first element is in its initial position, and said first element being movable independently of said clearing member from its said normal initial position to its second position, means for locking said first element in its said normal initial position responsive to movement of said second element to printing position and to movement of any one of said other elements from zero printing position to a higher printing position and for moving said second element from its said normal initial position to zero printing position and locking said second element and all of said other elements in zero printing position responsive to movement of the first element from said normal position to said second position, operating means for effecting the printing operation, and means actuated by said operating means for actuating said clearing member and effecting a clearing operation upon completion of the printing operation.

2. The machine claimed in claim 1 wherein a projection is secured to said first element for engaging said second element for moving said second element to zero printing position when the first element is moved to its second position effective for printing.

3. A machine for printing money orders and the like, a plurality of separately adjustable printing elements including a first element having a single effective number printing character thereon, a second element and a plurality of other elements, said first element being movable to a normal initial position ineffective for printing, and to a second position effective for printing, said second and other elements each having number printing characters from zero to nine thereon, said second element having a normal initial position ineffective for printing and said other elements being normally in zero printing position, a clearing member for returning said elements to normal positions, said second and other elements being movable independently of each other and of said member to selectivley dispose any one of the characters thereof in effective printing position when said first element is in its initial position, and said first element being movable independently of said clearing member from its said normal initial position to its second position, means for locking said first element in its said normal initial position responsive to movement of said second element to printing position and to movement of any one of said other elements from zero printing position to a higher printing position and for moving said second element from its said normal initial position to zero printing position and locking said second element and all of said other elements in zero printing position responsive to movement of the first element from said normal position to said second position, said looking means comprising a fixed comb member and a reciprocal locking bar also having slots therein adapted to clear said slots in the comb member, other portions of said locking bar blocking said slots in the comb member when in a second position, biasing means on the slidable locking bar and on each of said elements for moving the slidable locking bar to said first and second position, operating means for effecting the printing operation, and means actuated by said operating means for actuating said clearing member and effecting a clearing operation upon completion of the printing operation.

4. The machine claimed in claim 3 wherein said biasing means is non-resilient.

5. A machine for printing money orders and the like, a plurality of separately adjustable printing elements including a first element having a single effective number printing character thereon, a second element and a plurality of other elements, said first element being movable to a normal initial position ineffective for printing and to a second position effective for printing, said second and other elements each having number printing characters from zero to nine thereon, said second element having a normal initial position ineffective for printing and said other elements being normally in zero printing position, a clearing member for returning said elements to normal positions, said second and other elements being movable independently of each other and of said member to selectively dispose any one of the characters thereof in effective printing position when said first element is in its initial position, and said first element being movable independently of said clearing member from its said normal initial position to its second position, means for locking said first element in its said normal initial position responsive to movement of said v for effecting the printing operation, and means actuated by said operating means for actuating said clearing member and effecting a clearing operation upon completion of the printing operation, and having a projection secured to said first element for engaging said second element for moving said second element to zero printing position when the first element is moved to its second position effective for printing.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,707,432 5/1955 Rindfieisch 10120 X 2,841,076 7/1958 Johnson et a1. 101-91 2,853,001 9/1958 Jagger 101-95 3,142,248 7/ 1964 Gopperton l01-95 3,307,476 3/1967 Jagger 101-95 X WILLIAM B. PENN, Primary Examiner 

